(19)
(11) EP 0 257 851 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
25.10.1989 Bulletin 1989/43

(43) Date of publication A2:
02.03.1988 Bulletin 1988/09

(21) Application number: 87306869.6

(22) Date of filing: 03.08.1987
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)4H05K 13/04, H05K 13/02
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB

(30) Priority: 22.08.1986 US 899310

(71) Applicant: LIFT INDUSTRIES, INC.
Grand Junction, Colorado 81505 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • Storimans, Franciscus J.A.
    Gormley Ontario L0H 1G0 (CA)

(74) Representative: Pacitti, Pierpaolo A.M.E. et al
Murgitroyd and Company 373 Scotland Street
Glasgow G5 8QA
Glasgow G5 8QA (GB)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) Electronic component spacer mechanism


    (57) A spacer (10) for spacing the leading component (20) of a single file column of electronic components. The spacer comprises a shuttle (42) mounted below and located adjacent a feeder (12) for reciprocating movement across the path followed by the components (20). A first stop (70) is provided on the shuttle (42) which is arranged to extend across the path to stop the advance of the next following component (20) at a first point as the shuttle moves from its first position to its second position and back to its first position. A second stop (82) is provided on the shuttle which is arranged to extend across the path when the shuttle is in the first position, to stop the advance of the leading component (20) at a second point which is located downstream of the first point. A passage (90) opens through the shuttle to permit passage of the leading component (20) from the first point to the pick-off point. The passage has a first angularly inclined face (58) arranged to engage the lead wire (26) of a leading component (20) located at the second point as the shuttle moves from its first position to its second position to advance the leading component from the second point to the pick-off point to space it from the next following component.







    Search report